GoodGym Newcastle's first visit to the Bike Garden for a while was very productive. Richard did a lot of compost turning, as well as emptying several wheelbarrows of woodchip onto the top of the compost. Meanwhile Scott was dealing with lots of branches and pieces of wood.

Several of the the Bike Garden's regular volunteers were present as well, completing lots of other tasks and introducing us to a resident frog.

This week's group run was from One Strawberry Lane to Rose Street in the Teams area of Gateshead. We delivered around 250 leaflets on behalf of Stomping Grounds NE. Some of the road layouts were a little unusual, but we managed to deliver all of the leaflets without delivering to the same house twice.

Tonight's task was a litter pick, as two GoodGymers headed off towards Byker. The intention was to head on to Heaton, but we discovered possibly the most littered place in Newcastle, and possibly the world. A 30 metre stretch of path near Byker KFC managed to fill eight bin liners, mostly with cans and other drinks containers. There was also a lot of evidence of Greggs and KFC customers.

Filling eight bags with litter from such a small area was incredible. Especially since it took two of us less than half an hour. There was a bonus child car seat plus a couple of plastic car wheel covers, all of which we also deposited in bins. A real difference was made tonight. It was nice to receive thank yous from a couple of members of the public tonight too.

Another successful Saturday at Greenhill Allotments, as two GoodGymers set to work clearing a plot of weeds and other random things like glass jars and bits of garden tools. The mattock was put to good use on the hard ground. One thing Greenhill Allotments has is a good variety of tools. Today's other tool of the day was a nameless one has lots of pointy bits that you stick in the ground and twist, wrapping the weeds around the end.

Check out the before and after photographs. It'll probably take one more visit to clear the rest of the plot, hopefully after it has rained a bit to soften the ground.

On a pleasant Monday evening, two GoodGymers set off from Stepney Bank Stables for a Quayside litter pick. Six bags were successfully filled. The only mishap of the day was a wine glass cutting through the bag and into Richard's knee. Thankfully the GoodGym first aid kit was at hand!